Wichita eagle., 1887-02-16

many circulated for municipal suffrage to
women. had the names of 221 voters and
ONLY canvassed half of the first ward and
did not canvass Douglas avenue or Main
street, where the voters would have been
! found The proportion of those who re-
fused were comparatively very small, and
those as rule were the ignorant, the for
eigners and the gambling class.
am now simply stating facts as found
them, therefore, although one representa-
tive unfortunately did not represent you,
he did represent his constituency.
Unfortunately, say, for us women, Tor
YOU would make as good friend as you
are an enemy. and if your influence could be
for US instead of against the question
would be settled as far as Wichita is con-
cerned
It is sad pity that some of our most able
men cannot rid themselves Of the opinion
that they have right to represent women
against their consent, and women III poll
ties" viii be made to bear the burden OF
all the evils of one day.
The fight is over for municipal suffrage,
we have gained the victory and opposition
is now useless. Its only influence will be
to brighten timid women from doing their
duty.
| can't say how many women viii have
the courage to go to the polls against pub
lie and private opposition. 1t is easy to
swim with the tide and sensitive women
dread criticism. But if they could be free
TO follow their interior convictions for the
sake of the good that would result there
would be equally as many women there as
men.
1t is to be regretted there are many
women in Wichita who do not dare to
sign the petition without asking their hus-
bands, but have yet to see the first man
who asked permission of his wife
as they are really only partners for life,
one should be consulted as well as the
other, for in every case the wife was equal
ly as intelligent as her husband
One of our state officers recently told me
that the III ost orderly election he ever at
tended was years ago when the women
were at the polls. They were there with
refreshments and he said it was an enjoy
able pleasant social time, and those women
we're not disgraced any more than if they
had been serving at a church festival.
Moral courage is sadly lacking in this
world of ours, and may the true spirit OF
religion consecrate the resolute will of men
and women clergy and laity citizens and
officers of state all over the Union as lead
ers in the cause of human justice.
You say, mo parent with any sense
would permit daughter to go to Topeka
and hang around the legislature for a clerk
ship" yet, in the same issue of your paper
you advertised for two young ladies to
work in your printing office among lot OF
men. Consistency thou art jewel"
If one position is contami-
nation to the youthful and
tr listing so is the other, or at least If
there is distinction | fail 10 see it.
And there can be none unless you pro-
fes to have in your employ only men who
are pure and honorable.
But you suppose there is an element IL
the advocates of women in politics which
can with IMMUNITY seek and fill these
places.
l thank you for the admission, for
know that there are thousands of women all
over our land whose lives are made up OF
pure strength and kind deeds, and the NOR
al atmosphere in which they exist is far
above contamination.
Moral or spiritual progress is of slow
growth, but we who believe in equal suf
frage firmly believe that the future home
will be improved; be more sacred; the
wives and daughters better informed and
more intelligent There will be less fry
olity, less fancy work and crazy quilts, no
ssip, and less temptations around hus-
bands and sons, less immortality, less in
Temperance. There will be better sons and
more loving, true husbands, and pure
thoughts and good deeds will be the inspir-
alton of the home.
Surro unded by those holy and pure in
fiuences she will truly be the ideal wife
and mother. Respectfully,
MAMIE STEPHENS, NJ. d.
CuPnNICI rs